The dried leaves and blossoms of catnip are the parts used medicinally. Catnip has been employed traditionally for upset stomach and intestinal gas pains and especially for colic in infants. It is carminative, helping to decrease the formation of intestinal gas and to aid the body in dispelling gas that has formed. It is also antispasmodic and helps to prevent or relieve menstrual cramping.

Catnip is diaphoretic and is used to produce a natural sweat, which is helpful in lowering fevers. It is mildly sedative, too, and can be used to relieve tension and induce a restful state in infants, children, aor adults.

Catnip's antispasmodic and diaphoretic properties, along with its carminative action, contribute to its usefulness in infant colic and in stomach upsets. As far as is known, the plant has no toxicity and can be used safely by infants, children, or adults, unless allergy to the plant is suspected.

I've used catnip and fennel tea with each of my 3 children to help reduce colic. However, I just found out that some women use catnip themselves for menstrual cramping. Is this common? Has anyone else used catnip for menstrual cramps?

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